"Potentially, this spacecraft could be the first thing to show that we can produce water fuel from the moon and potentially turn the moon into a refueling station for spacecraft to go deeper and deeper into space", said John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic.

Lockheed's plans for deliveries to the moon is similar to the technology and design recently used for the InSight mission to Mars.

"The U.S. return to the moon, and we will make it sooner than you think!" - the report says.

Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, said the moon is full of secrets and full of resources that can help supply human missions on the lunar surface, such as water.

Those companies are eligible for competing for NASA's contracts valued at $2.6 billion, according to the US-based space agency.

Each consortium will file bids with NASA, which will issue contracts based on price, time to launch, and technical feasibility. No money was awarded Thursday. Draper will manage the team and oversee the payload, flight computer, and navigation system for their lander, to be called Artemis-7.

Talking about Musk's past behaviour, Bridenstine said he had spoken with Musk.

"Beginning with missions beyond low-Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations".